Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.
While there isn’t a cure yet for diabetes, losing weight, eating healthy food and being active can help. Other things you can do to include:
- Take medicine as prescribed.
- Get diabetes self-management education and support.
- Make and keep health care appointments.
Type of Diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant).
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is when your body does not make insulin. This type of diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age.
If you have type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to take insulin every day to survive. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well. You also have trouble keeping blood sugar levels normal. About 90-95% of people with diabetes have type 2.
You can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. However, this type of diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people.
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes, such as:
- Losing weight
- Eating healthy food
- Being active
Gestational Diabetes (diabetes while pregnant)
Gestational diabetes develops in some women when they are pregnant. This type of diabetes usually goes away after your baby is born. However, it can increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
According to the CDC, women who have gestational diabetes can result in their baby having a higher risk of obesity as a child or teen and developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Resources for diabetes prevention and management
National Diabetes Prevention Program
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Wake County Minority Diabetes Prevention Program
The Wake County Minority Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) is a 12-month long class designed to help lower your risk of Type 2 Diabetes, become more physically active and reduce stress. Participants of the program learn lifestyle changes at NO COST.
Meetings are held monthly on the 3rd Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Wake County Public Health Center - Room 344 (virtual option available!)
10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh
About the Program
Who is eligible?
This program is for minorities who have are prediabetes.
Is there a cost for my participation in the program?
No, this is a free program for all eligible participants!
How long is the program?
MDPP is a 12-month program that meets weekly for the first 6 months and monthly for the last 6 months.
How long is each session?
Each session is one hour.
What will I do in the sessions?
The participants will interact with each other and the wellness coach to discuss different topics that will help you to lose weight, be more active, and prevent or delay your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
What is expected of me?
Participants are expected to:
- Attend all sessions
- Lose 5% to 7% of starting body weight
- Engage in 150 minutes of weekly physical activity
When is my wellness coach available?
In addition to each session, participants can contact the wellness coach to discuss personal health at any time.
Ready to sign up?
919-250-4598 (call or text)
Jaleel.kuteh@wake.gov
984-303-7884 (Spanish)
natalia.morales@wake.gov
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